Paperbox covering machine



iii-1i ,644,374

July 7, 1953 L. SCHWAB I PAPERBOX COVERING momma 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 12, 1948 mvsmox. LOUIS ScRwAB AM'UHIVE'Y uly 7, 1953 SCHWAB 2,644,374

PAPERBOX COVERING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. LOUIS SCHWAB July 7, 1953 L. SCHWAB' PAPERBOX COVERING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I47. lu

y 7, 1953 L. SCHWAB 2,644,374

PAPERBOX covsamc MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 7,1953 L. scHwAB PAPERBOX COVERING moms 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 12, 1948 JNVENTORQ Lours SCHWABw v BY 7 Patented July 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application November 12, 1948, Serial No. 59,731

3 Claims. (Cl. 93-54.3)

provements in box covering machines, and,-more particularly, the aim is to provide a novel and valuable such machine whereby a cardboard box may be covered with a paper wrapping adhesive- 1y coated all over its box engaging side.

As is well known, the boxes thus usually covered are of theopen top rectangular kind, to be closed by a wholly separable lid of like kind; and since one or the other or both of such box components are desirably thus wrapped, it will be understood that whenever a box is herein referred to there is also or alternatively meant a box lid.

The paper wrapper employed is ordinarily a blank of cruciform outline, so that the central portion of the blank at its tackily adhesively .coated side may be brought against the exterior of the bottom of the box. Assuming, for clarity .of discussion, that the box is longer than it is .wide, two of the-arms of such cross are somewhat longer than the length of the box in order I that, after the median portions of said arms are secured to the exteriors of the sides of the box, the terminal portions of said arms may next be laid downagainst the ends of the box; while the other two arms of said cross are each as long asthe width of the box, so that these thereafter may be secured .terminal portions of said longer arms. The final ,operettion is an incurling of the marginalportions of the four arms, all thereof wider than the depthof the box, relative to the open mouth of .the box, for laying down said marginal portions against the inside of the box all around the latter adjacent to its said open mouth. Said four arms will below be called the flaps.

Accordingto the present invention, a relative-' jly simple machine is provided, yet one capable of high speed of production of the wrapped boxes; vwhereby,after a box has had its wrapper applied thereto, either by another machine or manua1ly, up to the point just short of the laying [down of said terminal portions of the longer -Z'ilaps over the ends of the box, the remaining operations are all rapidly, efficiently and in the ilproper sequence automatically performed. The instrumentalities for effecting said remaining op- ,erations may be mechanicaland/or pneumatic and/or "electrical in nature; and a now preferred .arrangement, that illustrated herein, is one in {which said instrumentalities are mainly electrically actuated and in part are also electronic.

\ A feature of the new machine, further,;-is its readily manually effected ad-justability, over wide to said box ends and over said invention relates to new and useful imranges, for boxes of diiferent lengths, widths and depths.

4 For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a ma,- terial part of this disclosure:

- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the lefthand side of the box covering machine in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken on the line '3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section, taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the assemblage shown in Fig. 4. 4

Fig. 6 is a detail view, this being a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of one of the two pivoted stops of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 8 is a similar view, but showing the other .one of said stops.

Fig. 9 is a very much enlarged fragmentary I vertical section, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 shows the parts of Fig. 9 redisposed I after completion of the aforesaid final operation ..-on the wrapper.

now resting upright at one of its sides as it is first inserted into the machine andwith its open -.mouth facing the front of the machine. Fig. 16 similarly illustrates said elements, but

now with the terminal portions of the longer flaps as laid down on the ends of the box by devices actuated on simultaneous energization of four solenoids like the one shown in Figs. 11-13 (two only of said solenoids being shown-in the drawings, and these in Fig. 1; but with the remaining two thereof schematically indicated in 3 Fig. 17); this laying down of said terminal flap portions being the first operation automatically performed by the machine.

Fig. 17 is an electrical diagram, one of the elements of which is an electronicmeans involving a light-source means and a so-called electriceye here shown as in the form of a. photoelectrictube.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section, taken on the line I8-|8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 19 is a horizontal section, taken on the line l9--l9 of Fig. 18.

Before next taking up a fuller description of the machine, it is pointed out that, in order'to avoid unnecessarily adding to the complexity of the drawings, various parts clearly disclosed in allel with the front plane of the latter, and are equally spaced from the opposite sides of the platform 3 I.

Figs. 4, 5, 9-13 and 19 and 20 are omitted from Figs. 1 and 2; and various parts located below the line 22 of Fig. l are omitted from Fig. 3, and the parts clearly disclosed in Fig. 4 when taken with Fig. 19 are omitted from Fig. 5.

Now referring to the drawings in detail, and first to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine, which may be supported at a convenient height on four legs two of which are marked 2i! in these views, has a skeletal main structure comprised of four corner posts 24 which couple a top rectangular frame 2! and a bottom rectangular frame 22, with angle iron braces 23 employed at the front and back of the machine at the two ends thereof.

Four like solenoids 25 having armature-carried means for effecting the first operation, that of bringing about the condition shown in Fig. 16, are provided; two thereof being shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the other two thereof, similarly placed in the machine at the opposite side of the box, the latter indicated in dot and dash lines at 26, in Fig. 1.

lhe variability of the machine, for taking care of boxes of different dimensions, may be assumed to be such that the box 25 is of a length about half-way, as indicated in Fig. 1, between a minimum length 23 and a maximum length 28, and said box 29 is of a height corresponding to the minimum box-height capacity of the machine but with the latter having a maximum boxheight capacity 29, and said box is of a depth corresponding to the minimum box-depth capacity of the machine but with the latter having a maximum box-depth capacity as indicated at 30 in Fig. 2.

Regardless of the dimensions of a box, within the limits just noted, the box 26, with its wrapper partially applied thereto as shown in Fig. 15,

is, from the front of the machine, placed in a platform 3!, being manually centered laterally of the platform, and then thrust rearward in the direction of the arrow 32 of Fig. 2 until the now vertically arranged bottom of the box abuts two stops 33 projected upwardly by way of slots 34 in the platform.

The means for adjusting said stops along said ,slots, to locate the stops more or less toward the rear ends of the slots, in agreement with a box of greater depth than that illustrated for the box 26, will later be described.

Two like solenoids, one of which is marked 35 in Figs. 1 and 2, are parts of like mechanisms one of which is marked 36 in these views. Only one of these is shown in Figs. 1 and 2; however, since they are not only alike but the said mechanisms of which they form a part are also alike, a description of one will sufiice as a description of both. These mechanisms are aligned horizontally and longitudinally of the machine and par- Also included in the mechanism 36 is a second solenoid 37, the latter carried. within a cage 38 fixed on the outer end of a cylindrical piston 39 in a cylindrically tubular cylinder 40. The solenoid 35 is for being energized after energization of the solenoids 25, and the solenoid 37 is for being energized following the energization and during a maintained energization of the solenoid 35; the arrangement being such that (a) on the energization of the solenoids 25 the aforesaid terminal portions 42 (now see Fig. 16) of the longer flaps of the wrapper 43 are folded down as indicated by the arrows 4! (Fig. 16) against the ends of the box 26, (b) on properly delayed subsequent energization of the solenoid 35 of the mechanism 35 the cage 38 is advanced to its dot and dash line position indicated at 38 in Fig. 1, thereby properly to advance the solenoid 31, and (c), properly thereafter, the marginal portions of the four flaps of the wrapper (such marginal portions of the longer flaps being marked 44 in Fig. 16) are incurled relative to the open mouth of the box for lying at the inside of the box, and so completing all operations of automatically covering the box with the wrapper.

In order that said position 38 of'the cage 38 will be proper relative to the adjacent end of the box and also in order that said position of said cage will be proper relative to the depth of the box (as a factor determining the widths of the shorter flaps of the wrapper), and at the same time to arrange matters so that the full line position of the cage 38 will be suitably removed from the fields of operation of the parts operated by the solenoids 25, two adjustments of the mechanism 36 are provided for.

Said full line position of the cage 38 is predetermined by endwise adjustment of a solid cylindrical rear extension 45 from the cylinder 48 relative to a collar 46 offset from a slide-block 41,

and this adjustment is secured by tightening a set-screw 48; and the dot and dash line position 38 of the cage 38 is predetermined by endwise adjustment of the threaded lengths of a pair of pull rods 49. Said rods 49, passing through apertures in an annular rib 50 on the cylinder 40, against which they may be tightened after their adjustment by nuts 54, carry block ends 52 offset from which are pins 53 extended through slots 54 along the opposite sides of the cylinder 40 and into matching slots 55 along the opposite sides, of the piston 39.

Also, for positioning the mechanism 36 properly relative to the setting of the stops 33 in their slots 34, that is, relative to the depth of the box 26, the slide-block 47 is carried by rods 56 supported by and slidably adjustable relative to a slide-frame 57; this adjustment being secured by tightening 'a set-screw 58.

Further, for setting the mechanism 36 properly relative to the center of width of the box 26, the slide-frame 51 is vertically slidable on rods 59 secured at their tops to a Z-iron 60 fixed to the top frame 2! and at their bottoms to a Z-iron 6| fixed to the bottom frame 22; this adjustment being secured by tightening a setscrew 62.

The manner of adjusting the stops 33 pursuant to the width of the box 26 will be explained below.

On energization of the solenoid 35, its armature pivots a pair of like levers 63 from the full line to the; dot-and dash line positions of Fig. 1, and

so again-st a suitable stop 64. Each of said levers, as best shown in Fig. 1; has a slottedupper end engaging a pin 65 offset from the piston 39. and projected through a slot 66 in. the cylinder 48. Thus, a full throw of thelevers-63, from a .stop 61 tothe stop 64, to tension springs 68 for at the proper time returning the levers to their'full line positions, is effective to project the piston 39 only to the extent permitted by the setting of the pull rods 49. Integral with an annularly enlarged end portion 69 of the cylinder 48 is a downwardly and forwardly directed extension 18 carrying upstanding bosses 1| mounting a pin 12, this pin for fulcruming the two levers 63. Said extension also includes a floor portion on which the solenoid 35 is secured. One of the mounting brackets for said solenoid is of lazy-U shape as indicated at 13, and on'the' upper horizontal limb of-said bracket is secured a block of insulation carrying a pair of normally spaced contacts 14.

Considering next the upper one of the two solenoids 25 shown/in Fig. 1, and referring in this connection particularly to Figs. 11-13, this solenoid includes two circular plates at the opposite ends of its winding 16; these plates being held together by the lower lengths of a pair of suspending rods 11 having enlarged lower ends (underlying the lower plate 15 as shown in Fig.

.12) and having pinned thereto (overlyingly of the upper plate 15) collars 18.

In order to obtain a good long throw of the solenoids armature 19, this armature is made rather short; having threadedly connected thereto as shown in Figs. 11 to 13 a prolongation 88 of non-magnetic material. The armature guiding tunnel through the winding 16 is square incross-section, as are the armature 19 and its prolongation 88, for maintaining ofiset as illustrated a specially shaped arm 8| desirably carrying a line of bristle or brush tufts 82 as shown.

Just below the lower one of said circular plates -15, a cross-pin 83 is fixedly carried at the inner end of the armature 8|, and springs 84 join the outer ends of said cross-pin and the upper plate 15; this provision for restoring the parts to the condition shown in Figs. 11 and 13 when the solenoid is deenergized.

On said rods 11, above the collars 18, are insulation sleeves 85, and set in their tops are a pair of contact cups 89. Screwed into the top of the armature 19 is a rod 81 carrying at its top an insulation head 38 having suitably secured to its bottom a metal annulus 89 for at the proper instant bridging the contacts 86.

In order that the solenoid 25 may be set at a level such that its arm 8| will be located as in Fig. 1, that is, at a level corresponding with the width of the box 26, the rods 11, see Figs. 1 and 3, are supported by and slidably adjustable .vertically relative to a slide-block 98; this adjustment being secured by tightening a set-screw 9|, see Fig. 1. The slide-block 98 is carried by rods 92 supported by and slidably adjustable relative to a slide-frame 93; this adjustment, for positioning the solenoid properly relative to the depth of the box 26, being secured by tightening a setscrew 94, see Figs. 1 and3'. The slide-frame 93 is carried by and is slidably adjustable along a pair of horizontal rods 95 extending longitudinally of the machine; this adjustment, for positioning the solenoid 25 properly relative to the length of the box 26, being secured by a set-screw 96, see Figs. 1 and 3. The ends of the rods 95 seen in Fig. 1 are secured toan angle-iron 91 extended acr'ossandsecured to the upper frame 2|; and the opposite ends of said rods are secured to a similar angle-iron,..not shown, but spaced the same distance'from the platform 3| as the angle- .iron 91 is spaced from the latter.

Of the two solenoids 25 shown in Fig, 1, the lower one thereof is adjustable in all the ways, except in an up and down direction, as just described for the upper one of said solenoids. There is no need to change the elevation ofv said lower solenoid 25, as the top thereof should always be at the same level, that is, the level of the platform 3|. For adjustment of said lower solenoid 25 .(with the rods 98 functioningas do the rods 11 relative to the upper solenoid 25, but with said rods 98 at their lower ends fixed to a slide-block I88 corresponding to the slide-block elements 89; and the other two solenoids corresponding to the solenoids 25 at the opposite side of the platform 3| are both like the lower solenoid v-25 and they are also mounted so that their cores move toward one another. Longitudinally of the machine, as will be understood','th'e two solenoids other than the solenoids 25' are spaced from the platform 3| the same distance as the solenoids 2 5 are spaced from said platform. The said elements 8589 are provided in connection with only one of these four "solenoids, since they all are simultaneously energized. In Fig 17, however, the two of these solenoids not seen in Fig. 1 are marked I88.

Reverting to the mechanism'38, and the mechanism on the; other side of the platform 31 corresponding mechanism 36, these mechanisms,

exactly alike as already stated, do differ .in one respect; which is that the contacts!" are pro- .Vided only in connection withfthe left hand mechanism 36, as shown in Fig. 1, as the solenoid 35 and the same solenoid of the other. mechanism are simultaneously energizedthe arrangement being such that on closing the contacts 14, and

during maintenance of the energization ofllthe rection of travel of its armature III is horizontal and forwardly of the machine. The forward end of said armature has pivotally connected thereto a substantially L-shaped link 2 pivotally connected to a special rocker ||-4 (Fig; 1) pivotally mounted at 5 between a pair of square cross-section bars H4 fixed on the outer end of theicage 38.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, the nature of said rocker may be understood when it is explained that the same is identical with the rocker I I5 shown in the two last-named views; in which views, it may also be explained, the link H6 is identical with the link 2. '(Note 5 at the upper part of 'Fig.'1.)' In Fig: 10, forthesolenoid H1 there partially shown (note H1 also at the upper part of Fig. l), the armature H8 corresponds to the armature III of the solenoid 31. The placement of said rocker H5, and its associated parts I I6I I8, is as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, that is, above the box 26.

Said rocker I I5, having plain parallel sides as shown in Fig. 1, is pivotally hung between a pair of bars H9 of square cross section, on a pin'I20 received at its opposite end portions in aligned vertical slots through the bars H9 like the slot I2I in Figs. 9 and 10. The axis of said pin is adjustable toward and away from the box 26, by two set-screws I22 and I23, in accordance with the thickness of the sheet material from which the blank constituting the wrapper 43 is out. The main body of the rocker I I5, of the side elevational aspect shown in Figs. 9 and 10, has offset therefrom a fork extension I24, this for pivotal connection to the link I I6, and a second extension I25 between which latter and said main body is a channel I26 of special cross-sectional shape. The extension I25 has a half-round groove I21 for having set therein, and detachably'secured to the rocker, by means of a setscrew I28, a wiper-rod I29. For normally receiving the portions of said wiper-rod just beyond the opposite sides of the rocker, the two bars H9 have matching cut-outs I30, see Figs. 9 and 10.

A wiper-rod I38 corresponding to the wiperrod I29, but of a length corresponding to the length of the box 26, is detachably secured to the rocker H5, in preparation for the run of a large plurality of such boxes through the machine.

Secured to the link I I6 is a depending arm I3I for closing a pair of normally spaced contacts I32 when the rocker is disposed as in Fig. 10 due to energization of the solenoid IN; a spring I33 being provided to retract the armature I I8 on deenergization of said solenoid.

As shown in Fig. 10, energization of the solenoid H1 participates in performing the aforesaid last operation in applying the wrapper 43 to 'the box 26, that is, of swinging in for adhesive securement to the inside of the box and adjacent to its open mouth I34 and at the side of the box then uppermost, the extended marginal portion I35 (Fig. 9) of the wrapper 43, thereby to dispose said portion I35 as in Fig. 10.

The solenoid 31 (Figs. 1 and 2) and its rocker H4 and their associated parts constitute an assembly which, with one exception, is exactly like that provided for the solenoid H1 and its rocker H5 as just above described; and this comment is true also in regard to the aforesaid solenoid III! of the mechanism corresponding to the mechanism 36, and likewise true of the solenoid I36 seen at the bottom of Fig. l and also in Figs. 4-and 5. Said exception is that only the solenoid "H1 has associated therewith the arm I3I and the contacts I32; this for the reason that the solenoids 31, H1, I II) and I36 are energized siing rocker also horizontal, is placed so that it is upwardly swung, and the wiper-rod I38 of-the solenoid 31 extends vertically and the pivotal axis of its carrying rocker is also vertical for swing of said rod in a counter-clockwise direction'as viewed in end elevation inFig. 2. Similarly, the solenoid which, in the mechanism corresponding to the mechanism 36, corresponds to the solenoid 31, is so arranged that the rocker carrying its Wiper-rod, although said rod is also extended vertically and with the pivotal axis of said rocker also vertical, will .rockto swing its said wiper-rod in the direction of the arrow I39 of Fig. 2 on energization of said solenoid. As already stated, the solenoid which in the mechanism corresponding to the mechanism 36 corresponds to the solenoid 31, is indicated at I III in Fig. 17.

' As explained in connection with the Wiper-rod I29, at the location of thewiper-rod I 31a substitute wiper rod will be detachably secured which is of a length corresponding to the length of the box 26; and'at the locations of the wiperrod I38 and of the wiper-rod associated with the solenoid I I0 there will be detachably secured substitute wiper-rods corresponding in length to the width of the box a large plurality of which are to be run through the machine.

For adjusting the placement of the solenoid I I1 and its associated parts properly relative to the width of said box, that is, for lowering the bars I it so as to have the wiper-rod I29 at a level appropriate to the width of the box, and referring now to Figs. 1 and 3, the bars I I9 extend all the way across the width of the machine, and each of said bars, at each of its opposite ends, is fixed to one of a pair of rear vertical rods I46, see Fig. 3, and to one of a pair of front vertical rods I4I, see Figs. 1 and 3, at the lower ends of said rods. These rods are raisable and lowerable through apertures in the top frame 2I, and are set in adjusted position by the tightening of four setscrews I42.

There is no need to raise or lower the solenoid I36, as the wiper-rod I31 should always be located relative to the platform, 3| as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, this solenoid and its associated parts are carried by a pair of bars I43 similar to and extended as are the bars I I9, but with said bars I43 anchored to the bottom frame 22 by two pairs of upstanding posts I44 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Reverting to the stops 33, and now referring primarily to Figs. 2 and 4 to 8. these stops'are identical, except that as to their bottom diskenlargements I44 they are of opposite hand, as will be observed in Figs. '7 and 8; but it is to be noted that only one of the stops, that is, the stop 33 of Fig. 8, this being the near one in Fig. 4 and the one at the left in Fig. 5, carries an insulation block I45 mounting a contact I46. Each of the stops 33 is shaped to include a depending arm carrying at its bottom one of the enlargements I44, and also to include an apertured lug I56; and between each such lug and the adjacent one of a. pair of slide-bars I48 a light spring Ifii is extended.

Both of the stops '33 are rockable, to become disposed as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig.4, on energization of a solenoid I52 fixed on a plate I53 secured to the undersides of the bars I43. Said solenoid has its armature I54 connected by a link I55 to a. cross-rod I56 pivotally coupled to a pair of like short links I51 and also a pair of like longer links I58. Each-of the links I51 is pivotally hung from one of the slidebars I48, and each of the links IE8 at its forto their dot and dash line positions indicated in Fig. 4.

In order to position the assembly just described properly relative to the depth of the box to be wrapped, each of the slide-bars I48, which are identical, is endwisely movable through guides I60 and I6I. These four guides are alike, and ofthe cross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 6, except that it is the guides I6I only which carry set-screws I62 for securing the slide-bars as endwisely adjusted relative to said guides. In the shown adjustment of the parts, the stops. 33 are setv at the foiward ends of the slots 34, in agreement with the depth of the box 26; which depth is as aforesaid the minimum box-depth for which the machine is assumed to be designed. The two slide-bars I48 are locked together at their forward ends by a tie-beam I63; and the slide-bar I48 nearest to the observer in Fig. 4, and at its forward end, carries an insulation block I64 mounting a contact I65 for coacting with the contact I46 on the adjacent stop 33, when both stops are retracted to the dot and dash line positionsindicated in Fig. 4.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 16, it will be appreciated that, followin the first operation of the machine on the box and its wrapper, this for redisposing the parts shown in Fig. 15 to the condition shown in Fig. 16, but before the solenoids 31, IIII, H1 and I36 are energized-to perform the final turning in operation on the wra per about the four sides of the open mouth of the box by means of the four wiper-rods corresponding to the wiper-rod I29 (see again Figs. 9 and 1 the flaps 42 of Fig. 16 must be swung in to become adhesively laid against the ends of the box, these ends marked I66 in Fig. 16.

For performing the last-mentionedoperation, the parts shown in Figs. 18 and 19 (and also partially in Fig. 4) are provided, viz:

, A plate-like horizontal bracket I61 has an upstanding end secured as at I68 to the rear end plate of the solenoid I36, and this bracket at its rear end is rearwardly upwardly canted and has two bolt holes spaced laterally of the bracket. These holes are for taking bolts I69, tightenable byrnuts I10, for holding as adjusted a flat bar HI .and a bar I12 like the bar I1I except for a Z-bend I13 in the latter. At the outer end of each of said bars a solenoid I14 is secured. Each such solenoid has its armature I15 pivotally connected to alink I16 pivotally connected at its opposite end toa wiper-blade I11 pivotally mounted at I18 to the outer end' of a heavy rod I19 perpendicularly horizontally offset from and threadedly connected as indicated in Fig. 19 to theadjacent bar I43. Each armature I15 has a top enlargement I80 and therebelow is sleeved by a spring I8I; said spring for holding the parts normally as in Fig. 18, and said enlargement for acting as a stop on energizationof the associated solenoid.

Simultaneous energization of both the solenoids I14 sweeps both wiper-plates I11 to the dot and dash line positions indicated in Fig. 18, thereby to perform the operation last hereinabove referred.

. The mechanism of Figs. 18 and 19 is also adju'stable in all the respects required for proper functioning relative to a box of any length, width and depth within the capacity for which the ma- 10 chine is designed. The axes of the pivotal mountings I18 for the wiper-blades I11 are in the same vertical plane including the line 33 of, Fig. 2. In order to give a sweep of greater radius to said blades, each of them comprises a'permanently installed root portion I82, and a detachable outer section I83; and with a suitable plurality of the latter sections provided, these of different lengths, one may be readily substituted for another, by way of the flanges and bolt and nut means indicated at I84, for best adapting the machine to the width of each box of a plurality thereof to be run through the machine. The only other adjustment required is to space the solenoids I14 .and their associated parts to agree with the length of said boxes, and this is readily effected (a) by loosening the nuts I16 and endwisely properly sliding apart the two bars HI and I12- for which purpose the bar I1I is slotted as at I85, and the bar I12 is similarly slotted, and (b) by correspondingly telescopically adjusting, relative to the heavy rods I19, which are mainly tubes as indicated in Fig. 19, the rods I18} constituting parts of the pivotal mountings I18 for said wiper-blades.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the machine should beapparent, but, in order better to explain the timing of the mechanisms; and to describe the circuit connections responsible for their timing automatically, reference should be had to Fig. 1'1. Before examining this 'view, however, and now referring again to Figs..- 1 and 2, it should preparatorily be further noted that, fixed on a bracket I86 upstanding from the angle-iron I91 of Fig. 1 is a barrel I81 enclosing; a suitably electrically energized source for emit ting a light beam I88 aimed at a photoelectric. bulb I89 on an arm I98 upstanding from an angle-iron I9I extended across the machine and secured to the latters bottom frame 22; and a manual control having its actuator in the form of a palm-lever I92 is pivotally mounted as at I92 on the top of a switch-box I93 having a-bottom flange I94 secured tosaid bottom frame 22 at the front of and at a point slightly spaced from a oint midway along the length of the machine.

Considering now Fig. 17, and first referring to the electric-eye apparatus as shown therein, the said photoelectric bulb I89 is in a closed circuit I95 with an amplifier connected to a current source I96 by way of a circuit I91 having also in-. terposed therein a main hand-switch I98; and next referring to said palm-lever I92, it will be noted that this lever is for depression against the upper enlarged end of a stem I99 acted' on by a spring 200 for normally holding the palm lever elevated against a stop 20 I, and that the arrangement is such that when the palm-lever is manual-- ly depressed said stem is moved downward thereby to' close a normally open switch 282.

The operation of the machine, with the switch I98 closed, is, as shown in Fig. 17, electrically as follows:

(1) In the course of advancing a first box of a run of such boxes to be put through the machine, toward placement on the platform 3! (such box as aforesaid partially previously covered by an adhesively coated wrapper as in Fig. 15, and said box as thus advanced being upright on one of its longer sides as shown also in Fig. 15), the light a circuit 204 for a first stick or lock relay 205 and served by a lead 205 from a current source 201; this relay 205 being a lock relay by virtue of the fact that associated therewith is a ioci: circuit including the leads 283, 289 and ENE- which lock circuit is to be broken later by energization of a release relay 2i i interposed therein.

(1)) Also, a lead 2i 2 in parallel with the lead 209 from the lock relay 235 is placed in a circuit also including a lead 2 I4 and the open switch 202, thereby to permit energization of the last-named circuit on manual depression of the palm-lever I92. I

(2) When the attendant at the machine has advanced the box along the platform 3i until the box abuts the stops 33, he, in sweeping his hand out'of the machine, fleetingly bears down on the palm-lever, thereby closing the switch 262; and as a result the following things occur:

(a) By way of said lead 2 M, and via four branch leads therefrom H5, H6, 2 IT and 2I3, all the first-operation solenoids, that is, the two solenoids 25 and the two solenoids ltd, are simultaneously energized; thereby disposing the wrapper relative to the box as shown in Fig. 16.

(b) By way of a lead 2I9 also branched from the lead 2 M, a circuit 226 for a second lock relay 22I is closed; this being a lock relay by virtue of the fact that associated therewith is a lock circuit including the leads 205, 222, 223, 224,, 225 and 226-which lock circuit is to be broken later by energization of a release relay 22? interposed therein.

By way of a lead 228 branched from the lead 226, one of the contacts 8% is energized by the last-named lock circuit, and, the armatures of the four solenoids and 106 having by now been snappingly retracted by the springs 8 5, see Fig. 11, the annulus 8E3 bridges the contacts 86; and consequently.

((1) By way of the leads 2%, 222, 223, 228, said contacts, and a lead 229, the release relay 2 I I is energized, thereby breaking the lock circuit for the first lock relay 265.

(e) Simultaneously, a first auxiliary solenoid 230 is energized, by way of the leads 203, 222, 223, 224 and a lead 23 I--said solenoid having, its armature 232 arranged for endwise movement through a dashpot 233, for the purpose of suitably delaying, beyond the completion of the operation nextmentioned on the box and itswrapper, the energization of the solenoid concurrently with energization of the solenoid we.

(f) During such delay, the two solenoids 114 are energized, for operating the wiper-blades ITI of Figs. 18 and 19, by way of a lead 234 from the lead 23I and by way of the leads 235 and 236.

(3) At the proper instant, an arm 23? fixed on the armature 232 of the first auxiliary solenoid 230 engages and closes a pair of normally spaced contacts 238, thereby energizing the solenoids 35 and I09, by way of the leads 2%, 222 and 239, said contacts 238, and leads 24 3, 2M and. 242, and so advancing the mechanism 36 from its full line to its dot and dash line position (note 33 in Fig. 1) and similarly advancing but in the opposite di rection the mechanism corresponding to the mechanism 36 and at the other end of the machine; these mechanisms remaining as thus advanced until, at a later time, the release relay 22? for the lock relay 22I is energized.

(4) Coincidentally with the arrival of the mechanism 36 and the corresponding mechanism at their advanced positions, the lever 63 associated with the solenoid as closes the contacts 14;"

as a result of which the following things occur:

(a) By way of the leads 226, 222 and 243, said contacts i i, and a lead 224, a circuit 245 for a third lock relay 2:36 is closed; this relay being a lock relay by virtue of the fact that associated therewith is a lock circuit including the leads 206,

222, 2 57, 243, 2 39, 255, 25! and 2 iEWhich lock.

circuit is to beopened later by energization of a release relay 25! interposed therein. I

(b) Simultaneously, a second auxiliary sole-- noid 252 is energized, by way of the leads 206', 222, 252i, 248, 259 and 2'53said solenoid, having its armature 25% arranged for endwise movement through a dashpot 255, being effective suitably to hold the solenoids 25 and IfiS-at their said advanced positionsthis halt of these solenoids at such positions being for an interval long enough to permit not only energization of the four solenoids 3?, HQ, Hi and A35 (for performing the final or inturning operation or" the wrapper relative to the open mouth of the box), but also to allow for the wiper-rods actuated by the four last-named solenoids to be thereafter cleared away from the box.

(0) Simultaneously with (b) immediately above, said four last-named solenoids are energized, by way of the leads 206, 222, 241, 248, 249, 25c, and the leads 25?, 255i, 259 and 286 branched from the lead 256 and connected respectively to said solenoids 3?, I50, III and I35.

(5) Followin energization of the four sole noids last-named, an arm 2I5I on the armature 25d of the second auxiliary solenoid 252 engages and closes a pair of normally spaced contacts 263; and as a result the following things occur: (a) One of the pair of contacts I32 to be closed at the end of the working throw of the armature of the solenoid 31 is energized byway of a lead 263 from said contacts 262, now closed.

(b) By way of a lead 264 from the other contact I32, the release relay 25! for the third lock circuit is energized, thereby breakingthis lock circuit.

(0) By way of said contacts I32 and said head 284 therefrom, and a lead 264 from the latter, a circuit for a fourth 1ock relay 255 is closed; this relay being a lock relay by virtue of the fact that associated therewith is a lock circuit including the leads 2G6, 222, 247, 26B, 266', 281V and 268- which lock circuit is to be broken later by energization of a release relay 259 interposed therein.

(d) The solenoid 552 for retracting the stops 33 is energized, said solenoid interposed in'the I last-named lock circuit; to allow the now completely wrapped box to be further advanced along the platform 3|.

(e) Now one of the stops 33 has brought together the contacts :46 and I65, and, by wayof a circuit including the lead 276 from the contact I65, the release relay 22? for the second look circuit including the lock relay 22I is energized, thereby breaking said lock circuit.

(6) Incidental to the attendant now advancing, as explained under (1) above, the next box and its Wrapper toward placement on the platform 3| (he having heard the click of operation of the stops 33), the light beam IE8 is again necessarily interrupted; with the result that once again, as above, the relay 263 is deenergized, and consequently the first lock circuit including the lock relay 265 is reenergized.

('7) Since now the solenoid I52 is still holding the steps 33 retracted, the last-named boxyon 13 further manual advance thereof, pushes .the box ahead of it beyond said stops.

(8) When the attendant perceives he has advanced said last-named box sufficiently to push ahead of it said first box to an extent to force the latter past said stops,he again, in swinging one of his hands out of the machine, fleetingly brings such hand down on the palm-lever I92, thereby once more closing the switch 202; and as a result the following. things occur: 7 I

(a) By way of the lead 2' branched from the lead 2|2, thelatter now energizable via the first lock circuit now once again closed as per (6) above, the release relay 259 for the fourth lock relay25 is energized, with the result that, coincidently with the breaking of this look circuit, the solenoid I52 is deenergized; and

(b) The stops 33 return to normal position, andin time properly to halt further rearward advance of the second-named box.

(9) The attendant, now using both hands again or say his hand other than the one lastmentioned, effects such further forward advance of said second-named box, until this advance'is halted by said second-named box encountering the stops 33.

Finally the attendant, in now removing his last-named hand from the machine, once more fieetingly manually bears down on the palmlever I92, thereby starting the full automatic cycle of the sequential operations above described under all of (2) above beginning with ((1) thereof and'under all of (3), (4) and (5) above.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 7

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine operable relative to a foursided open-top box and an adhesively coated wrapper preparatorily applied at its coated side to the exterior of the box and merely at a central portion of the wrapper to the bottom of the box and at two opposite side portions of the wrapper to two opposite sides of the box, in combination, an electromagnetically operated means for first applying the four terminal subdivisions of said side portions of the wrapper to the other two sides of the box, an electromagnetically operated means for next applying the other two opposite side portions of the wrapper to the two lastnamed sides of the box, said four side portions of the wrapper being so dimensioned that after the operations of the two means aforesaid marginal subdivisions of the wrapper are extended beyond the plane of the open top of the box all around said top, an electromagnetically operated means for inturning all said marginal subdivisions into the interior of the box and laying the same against said interior all around and adjacent to said top, an automatically functioning circuit connecting said first, second and third means together for timing a cycle of operations of the machine during which the second-named means is actuated following actuation of the firstnamed means and the third-named means is actuated following actuation of the second-named means, a control means in said circuit including a manual actuator, an electric-eye means, a platform for receiving and supporting and allowing passage therealong of a box and its wrapper, a

- stopmeans for halting advance of the box and 7 portion of thewrapper to the bottom of the box and at two opposite side portions of the wrapper to two opposite sides of the box, in combination,

' an electromagnetically operated means for first applying thefour terminal subdivisions of said side portions of the wrapper to the other two sides of the box, an electromagnetically operated means for next applying the other two opposite side portions of the wrapper to the two last-named sides of the box, said four side porti-o-ns of the wrapper being so dimensioned that after the operations ,of the two means aforesaid marginal subdivisions of the wrapper are extended beyond the plane of the open top of the box all around said top, an electromagnetically operated means for inturning all said marginal subdivisions into the interior of the box and laying the same "against said interior all around and adjacent to said top, an automatically functioning circuit connecting said first, second and third means together for timing a cycle of operations of the machine during which the second-named means is actuated following actuation of the first-named means and the third-named means is actuated following actuation of the second-named means, a control means in said circuit including a manual actuator, an electric-eye means for controlling energization of said circuit, a platform for receiving and supporting and allowing passage therealong of a box'and its wrapper, a stop means for halting advance of the box and its wrapper beyond a predetermined location on the platform and thereby detaining the box and its wrapper adjacent to the fields of operation of the three firstnamed means, means responsive to an actinical change of condition of said electric-eye means for retracting said stop means to allow passage therebeyond of the wrapped box, and means for manually preadjusting said stop means to have a field of operation corresponding to the dimensions of the box.

3. In a machine operable relative to a foursided open-top box and an adhesively coated wrapper preparatorily applied at its coated side to the exterior of the box and merely at a central portion of the wrapper to the bottom of the box and at two opposite side portions of the wrapper to two opposite sides of the box, in combination, an electromagnetically operated means for first applying the four terminal subdivisions of said side portions of the wrapper to the other two sides of the box, an electromagnetically operated means for next applying the other two opposite side portions of the wrapper to the two lastnamed sides of the box, said four side portions of the wrapper being so dimensioned that after the operations of the two means aforesaid marginal subdivisions of the wrapper are extended beyond the plane of the open top of the box all around said top, and electromagnetically operated means for inturning all said marginal subdivisions into the interior of the box and laying the same against said interior all around and adjacent to l5 said top, anautematically functioning, circuit connecting said first, second and third means to gather for timing a cycle of operations of the machine during which the second-named means is actuated following actuation of the first-named means and the third-named meansjs actuated following actuation of the second-named means, a control means in said circuit including a man ual-actuator, an electric-eye means for controlling energization of said circuit, a platform for receiving and supporting and allowing passage therealong of a box and its wrapper, a stop means for halting advance of the box and its wrapper beyond a predetermined location on the platform and thereby detaining the box and its Wrapper adjacent to the fields of operation of the three first-named means, and means responsive to an aotinical change of condition of said electric-eye means for retracting said stop means to allow passage therebeyond of the wrapped box, said 20 elongated stop members pivotally supported .ine

termediate of their ends on said bars, the plat+ form having elongated slats aligned with said stop members and through which the top ends of said stop members project to be engaged by said box body, means holding said stop members in pivoted positions with their top ends extended through said slats, and means holding said bars in desired shifted positions relative to the platform to locate said stop members to have field of operation corresponding to the dimensions of the box body.

LO I SCH B- Doran July 25, 1950 

